'Q&A: Power stearing problems on Chevy Malibu... seeking recall'

Q&A: Power stearing problems on Chevy Malibu... seeking recall

By Blog Answers at 01/14/09 13:39

On 01/14/09 02:51, cindy sosa asked the following question:

my mom has a 2004 chevy malibu check power steering will go on and off.I have done some research on line and found lots of bad stories about this problem. My question is how do we get the fine makers of the car to start a recall for this dangerous situation?

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Answer #1 On 01/14/09 12:49, dustin from ohio answered:

I guess what I would do in your situation would write a letter of concern to the automaker. You might also want to recommend others with the same problem to do the same.

Maybe if the automaker gets enough complaints the will issue a recall. This is just a suggestion. I'm not to sure if it would work. Good luck.

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my wife was driving our 2006 malibu when the steering locked up and forced her into the guard rail causing 6500 dollars damage.Then after it happened again I took the car to the dealership where they charged me 450 dollars to replace the steering motor.Then it locked up on me while driving my daughter to school and that was the final stray that realy made me mad.I contacted the dealership and with the help of a very understanding salesman they traded me up to a buick lasabre without any loss in value.Now that was customer service at its best.But trust me when I say do not buy a chevy malibu if you value your life.GM knows that there is a serious defect in there steering controlls but could care less in a recall to save lives.I certainly hope the dealership does not resale that malibu or at least informs an unsespecting buyer of that killing defect.

I have been having the same problem with my 2004 Malibu. Started with the check engine light and the power steering display. Today I lost the power steering all together while making a left hand turn. Arrived at work and later had an appointment with a mechanic and the car was fine. With the problems that GM is having how can we get them to recall this problem??

On vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC. The power steering went out yesterday on my 2004 Malibu. Took it to Myrtle Beach Chevrolet dealer. Had to rent a car while they have it in the shop. They called me today to advise it needs a new steering column, which they don't have in stock. They will hopefully have the part in tomorrow. They quoted me a price of $800+ to repair. This will be the second time the steering column is replaced. The first time it was still under warranty. Other than this I have been happy with the car. I will be sending a complaint to GM but I doubt it will do any good.

My power steering went out the other day and then again this morning. I had my grandchildren in the car and it really scared me! I turned around and went home.I researched this problem on the internet and found many, many people have had the same issue. I have a 2006 Malibu V 6. I would never buy a Chevy again! I have had nothing but problems but, this is deadly!!

I have the same issue with the power steering giving out intermittently without warning- I cannot believe that there has not been a recall issued for this steering problem. I am literally afraid to drive my car!!!!! I called the NHTSA and made a formal complaint with them- Please if you are having these steering issues with your 2004 Chevy Malibu please take the time to report it to NHTSA so that they can investigate these reports. General Motors needs to be held accountable for this. It is a huge SAFETY issue. I won't even let my daughter drive my car because I am afraid it will go out on her. About NHTSA

Toll-Free: 1-888-327-4236 NHSTA

VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE

Please use the toll-free number above to report suspected safety defects in your vehicle, vehicle equipment, and child safety seats. You can also obtain information about air bags, highway safety, and the proper use of child safety seats.

I have a 2008 Malibu with 11500Km. I am taking it in for the second time tomorrow to have the steering repaired. The first time, July 2nd, it was in the shop for 10 days to have the steering column replaced. It took time to get parts !!

When I was driving the car home the steering started wandering again. Will let you know what happened.

My wife is having the same exact problem with her 04 malibu. I replaced the rack and pinnion on the advice of a mechanic and that did no good. Went to the dealership and they ran a diagnostic for 100.00 and said it was the electronic steering. Not only did he say that he acknowledged that it was a defect. How can GM not fix this?

I have a 2007 Chevy Malibu that has been making a clunking noise every time I turn the steering wheel. I googled Malibu steering problems and was shocked to see so many people having this same problem. I am very disappointed that GM can make defects at the factory and not recall them. However, I took my car in to a Chevy dealer today to have it inspected. They were very aware of this problem. They put my car on a rack and repositioned a steering shaft. It took about 15 min. and cost $56. It has completely fixed the problem and is no longer making any noises. It drives and sounds like brand new again. Just wanted to let others know so you can check into this and maybe get lucky like I did.

I have a 2006 Malibu LT I have not taken my car in yet as i wanted to see if there was a solution online the power steering went out while on the High way. Freaked me out. Pulled over and restarted, issue solved. Just happened again and now a little scared for my safety. They should do a recall before someone kills themselves.

I lost steering yesterday about 30 seconds before I would have been driving on I-95....I had 2 small children in my car, and I am some kind of mad!! It felt like someone had filled my steering column with wet concrete. I have driven a car that had no power steering, and this is completely different. I want to know what they are waiting for?!?!?!?!

I have an 06 Malibu LT V6. The steering has locked up 3 times on me since I bought it new. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS OR BE TAKEN TO COURT OVER IT!!!

I had the same problem with my 2006 Chevy malibu, but today the steering wheel locked and i was on the highway doing about 65 on a 70 mph road and almost died. So I put the car in neutral and restarted it and it was gone. There should really be a recall on chevy malibus.

I own a 2007 Malibu and have been experiencing the same problems with the power steering. The first time it happened they couldn't find anything wrong. Didn't happen again for awhile. Now it is happening more and more. Started with the airbag light coming on and has moved onto the power steering issue. I am writing to GM and contacting the Vehicle Safety Hotline as suggested above.

In January of 2009 I purchased a used 2007 Malibu from a dealer. At the end of May of 2009 my power steering failed suddenly while pulling into a parking space. I almost hit the car in the next space. After getting back in the car everything was fine for 2 days when it failed again while driving thru a turn around, clicking off then on within seconds. I almost hit the car next to me. It is now September 2009. Only 4 months after taking it in to a dealership to have it fixed, my power steering is failing again. Pulling into the parking lot at my job the power steering failed and again on my way to work on a straight away my car started beeping at me and "Power Steering" flashed on my display. I have 35,200 miles on my car now and the warrenty ends at 36,000. Will I have to replace my power steering unit every 4 to 5 months and hope I don't get into an accident?

I've been having problems with my 2005 Chevy Malibu for over a year now. The check engine light stays on and check the power steeling light has been on for over a year as well. I have taken my car to at least 3 different mechanics and they all tell me the same thing. They CAN'T FIND MY POWER STEERING MOTOR or ANY LINES LEADING TO THE MOTOR. My power steering went out all together this morning. As my husband was driving the steering wheel locked up and then it was like driving without power steering all together.

I will be making a formal complaint to NHSTA @ 1-888-237-4236

Same thing happened to me, 2004 malibu classic. The wheel got locked while i was making a right turn, just hardly avoided a collision.

I put windshield fluid in my car two days

ago and the fluid in emply. and the fluid

is running on the floor in the back of the car, what is the problem.

I have a 2006 Malibu LTZ; the power steering warning light and chime just started on Friday the 23rd. I am really worried and the car has less than 70K miles on it. I'm taking it in tomorrow after reading this blog!

thanks for nice sharing.

I have a 2005 chevy malibu and have the same problem with the power steering.The steering locked up on me while I was driving it scared me.I drive children to school everyday,and am terrified of driving this car again.I took the car to the dealership and is costing me $562.00 to repair it.GM needs to fix this problem before someone gets seriously hurt.

I HAVE 2004 MALIBU NEARLY KILLED TWO PEOPLE STEERING OUT THIS IS CRAZY GM FIX THE PROBLEM. SAME PROBLEM PLEASE CALL 1888-327-4236 REPORT IT NOW!

After reading these posts, I'm even MORE upset than I was. I bought a 2008 Malibu 15 months ago for near $30,000. and am already having steering problems similar to many I've read. I have difficulty turning left or right at slower speeds and the clunking noises are getting louder each day. It almost feels like I'm driving an old truck in 4 wheel drive. In addition, the brakes squeel like a pig at low speeds. This was suppossed to be the NEW, IMPROVED, highly acclaimed Malibu but it seems like a piece of junk with $15,000 of needless electronic tous in it I never used. It's going back to the dealer tomorrow and I will make them aware of the hundreds of complaints I read and ask that they don't put another defective steering column or rack in it like has happened to so many I read of. I will take this as far as I can and will hire a Lemon Law attorney if I have to.

This is a great blog about the Power Steering in Chev Malibu's -- Gotta wonder if any of these customers complained to the BIG CHEV GUYS -- I am writing to them now & also speaking w/Chev 800# 222-0010 --

Thanks for these comments above

I'm having the same issue. Warning light dinging and power steering message on message board. Took it in today and they advised this is a common issue. Around $800.00 to fix.

It makes sense that it isnt a recall issue.

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